For follow-up with the Search and Rescue recon trip, I was sent up to become familiar with the unique hazards, such as walking/snowmobiling on innocent looking snow only to fall through the roof of a cave, to map the routes used by the scientists, and the most likely types and places of potential accidents.
With my interest in geology, this trip was an incredible opportunity. Nelia and Bill, two of the 'primary investigators' (head scientists) on Erebus, are absolutely wonderful people to hang out with and very open (and patient!) with furthering my understanding of volcanoes.
All the lead researchers on Mt Erebus have been working there for decades and have a very strong handle on risk management, esp with their grad students. Because of the excellent safety record (knock on wood), this area has received little attention from our SAR team. Recent turnover in my dept, Field Safety (the core of the SAR team), has prompted renewed attention on the SAR implications of Mt Erebus research.